South Africa Vs Bangladesh: Sacking Sword Hangs Over Mushfiqur Rahim After Embarrassing Test Series

Oct 8, 2017 at 3:14 PM

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South Africa Vs Bangladesh: Sacking Sword Hangs Over Mushfiqur Rahim After Embarrassing Test Series

As Bangladesh is on the threshold of losing the two-match Test Series with the Tigers already struggling in the ongoing second and final Test in Bloemfontein, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has been severely criticized for his approach being a person in charge in the part of African continent.

Rahim under knife:

The critics are at the forefront to lambast the 30-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Rahim, who’s going through a lean patch both with the willow and as a leader.

While talking about the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) its president Nazmul Hasan Papon adamant in approach in the past revealed they are looking forward to consider other senior players for the top-brass post in the national set-up, in a bid to allow senior campaigner concentrate of his batting.

“We have started thinking about alternative of Mushfiqur Rahim. Some of his comments as a Test captain is not acceptable and he is making wrong decisions as well,” a director of Bangladesh Cricket Board was quoted as saying by bdcrictime after he was interviewed by one of the premium local English daily.

However, the decision might come to the fore after the conclusion of red-ball series against South Africa, as the Board has pondered over the possible situation in February, this year.

Seen as the insane decision, so much so, the decision of bowling first in the both Test was criticized by the die-hard fans, before Papon echoed the words to express his dissatisfaction.

The Bangladesh side has shown the quality improvement in the international cricket post 2015 ICC World Cup particularly in the home fixtures in ODI format, before being thrashed in the overseas fixtures.

The right-handed batsman Rahim enjoyed the premium post since past six years while donning the white jersey, was appointed as Bangladesh skipper across formats way back in 2011.

“We have enough time prior to next series. The discussion about changing the captaincy has to be done in the board. We will talk with all of them,” the director for BCB maintained.

However, Rahim was eventually asked to step down in the limited-overs set-up in 2014 after he has failed to bring desired results at such a young age.

The reports might be suggesting that more would be on an offer in the Bangladesh set-up of late, but the reality is Rahim is struggling when he openly admitted the fact by saying he has failed to impress and motivate the teammates during the national fixtures.

Bangladesh might witness a paradigm shift with the change in guard in the Test format sooner or later, but the important question would remain is anyone interested to rein in when the side has gone down the hill, as bowlers and batters remained ineffective in both the Tests, so far.

The visitors allowed the hosts to post daunting totals as the first Test at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom witnessed the Proteas having an unassailable lead of 1-0.

With Rahim’s captaincy facing the stern test, the Test side is further expected to go under major overhauling process, as the subcontinent side is placed at the ninth position in the ICC Test rankings.

Rubbing the salt on the wound, Rahim has struggled of late, except Bloemfontein Test, the gloveman made his appearance in 57 Tests in which he scored 3,483 runs at an average of 35.54 in which he smashed five hundreds and 18 fifties. Photo Credit: AFP.

(Read Also: SA vs BAN 2nd Test: Bangladesh Batsmen Got Themselves Out: Kagiso Rabada)

What is in the bag for struggling BCB?

The old workhorse Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, 34, is already out of the contention in the Test format, who has had previously played a Test fixture in 2009 against Windies at Kingstown, and was eventually drawn out himself when he sustained an injury.

However, BCB is relying on senior campaigners in the form of opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is enjoying the approved sabbatical after vowing for a promising return in the Test format.

The duo recently featured in their respective 50th Test with Rahim only ahead of them featuring in 58 five-day matches.

Moreover, the other senior pro and 31-year-old all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad could also be in the race after representing the Tigers in 34 Tests.

Bangladesh’s next stop is at home in the Test series while taking on Sri Lanka.

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